Multilevel power amplifier architecture using multi-tap transformer
First Claim
1. A power amplifier system, comprising:
- a multi-tap integrated circuit transformer coupled to a shared output load, where the transformer comprises N input taps to provide N different impedance levels to the shared output load; and
a plurality of N power amplifier coupled respectively to each of the N input taps, whereby any combination of the N power amplifiers can be turned on at once and still maintain a power efficiency regardless of which power amplifiers are turned on.
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Abstract
A multi-level power amplifier architecture using a multi-tap transformer implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit wireless communications device is described. By providing a multi-tap transformer for coupling a plurality of power amplifiers to a shared output impedance, such as an antenna, power transmission may be made at different levels while maintaining efficiency. With a multi-tap transformer having “N” taps featuring “N” different impedance levels, each tap may be connected to an amplifier cell which delivers power into the transformer at the tap for coupling to the output load. Any one of the “N” amplifier cells can be turned on at once along with any combination of the “N” amplifier cells.
41 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power amplifier system, comprising:
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a multi-tap integrated circuit transformer coupled to a shared output load, where the transformer comprises N input taps to provide N different impedance levels to the shared output load; and a plurality of N power amplifier coupled respectively to each of the N input taps, whereby any combination of the N power amplifiers can be turned on at once and still maintain a power efficiency regardless of which power amplifiers are turned on. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A multi-tap transformer for coupling a plurality of power amplifiers to a shared output impedance, comprising:
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a primary winding formed on a first layer of an integrated circuit and operably coupled to a shared output impedance; a secondary winding formed on a second layer of the integrated circuit, said secondary winding comprising a plurality of input taps, where each input tap is operably coupled to receive an output signal from one of a plurality of power amplifiers, any combination of which can be turned on at once, such that each input tap provides a different impedance level to thereby maintain a power output efficiency for the transformer across multiple power levels. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for delivering power to an output impedance through a multi-tap transformer, comprising:
selectively coupling a plurality of power amplifiers to a corresponding plurality of multi-tap transformer inputs on a multi-tap transformer that is coupled to an output impedance, where each multi-tap transformer input provides a predetermined load impedance for the power amplifier that is coupled to said multi-tap transformer input, thereby providing a variable load impedance for maintaining a power efficiency while output power levels vary at the output impedance. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
Specification